Sectional metallic building structure



July 4, 1944. R. o. SHELDON 2,352,807

SECTIONAL METALLICBUILDING STRUCTURE Filed April 25, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

I Y Pd/ 6 0. 5/79/40 ORA/EV.

July 4, 1944. R. o. SHELDON SECTIONAL METALLIC BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed April 25, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 0 5/79/40 6 TTOENEK Patented July 4, 1944 SECTIONAL DIETALLIG BUILDING STRUCTURE Ralph o. Sheldon, Kansas City, Mo., asslgno'r to Emile S. Guignon, Jr., Kansas Cit y, Mo.

Application April 25, 1942, Serial No. 440,451

. 13 Claims. This invention relates to building structures of the type embodying a number of sections designed to interlock during the progress of erection, and the primary aim is to provide a group of building parts inter-engageable progressively as the structure'is assembled.

One of the primary aims of the instant invention is the provision of a sectional, metallic building, the units whereof may be formed at a point of manufacture,- transported to location, and there quickly erected without further fabrication.

This invention has for a still further aim, the provision of a building of the aforementioned character wherein is incorporated a wall comprising a number of studs, a plurality of opposed, fiat sections, and means slidably interconnecting the sections to create hollow building units, said units being secured to the studs through the employment of novel key members designed to secure together the two sections of the studs that are in turn anchored to the means for holding the unit sections together.

Other objects of the invention including important specific details of structure, will appear during the course of the following specification, referring to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary expanded perspective view of a portion of a building made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through one side of the building, illustrating the manner in which the wall thereof is joined to the roof and floor units.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one corner of a sectional metallic building structure with the roof units entirely removed and illustrating the man ner in which the sections of certain of the hollow building units are formed to embrace the stabilizing frame of the structure.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on line V-V of Fig. 2.

A Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detailed perspective view of one end of the coupler normally positioned between the sections of the building unit.

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross sectional view through the floor of the building structure taken on line VII--VH of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view through a coupler made to embody a modified form of the invention.

The building made in accordance with one form of the instant invention, comprises a base I of any desired form upon which may be mounted anchor plate l2, provided with openings l4. Anchor plate l2 has a central, longitudinal ridge formed thereon to present offset sills l6,

the outer one of which is extended as shown in Fig. 2, to present a drip flange l8. Inner sill l6 overlies flooring surface 20 and may be formed in any desired manner to present a finish at the line of juncture between flooring surface 20 and the vertical inner section of the wall about to be described.

Base l0, like supporting joists 22, overlies the foundation 24 and supports sectional floor units, broadly designated by the numeral 26. This unit 26 comprises upper and lower opposed, spaced apart floor units 28 and 30 respectively, each of which has a fixture 32 and 34 respectively, rigid therewith. These fixtures 32 and 34 are formed with interlocking proximal free edges, as detailed in Fig. 7. Fixture 34 is slidable within a groove 36 of fixture 32. Upper floor unit 26 is corrugated as at 38 to impart rigidity and stiffness thereto.

Floor units 26 rest directly upon joists 22 that are preferably T-shaped in transverse cross section, or at least formed to present a supporting flange and a leg that precludes lateral displacement of the units after they are moved to position.

The wall of this building structure may be erected quickly and will present a rigid portion when mounted upon base ID. This wall comprises a number of studs 40, each having a pair of sections 42 angular'in transverse cross section, to present a central longitudinal V-shaped rib 44 flanked on each side bf fins 46, the marginal free edges whereof are bent laterally. These marginal edges diverge to present a dovetail formation when the sections of the stud are together.

Rib 44 extends beyond the ends of fins 46 to establish a tongue 48 at each end of each section 42 of the stud. Tongues 48 at the lowermost end of sections 42, enter openings l4 of anchor plate [2.

Each wall unit comprises a pair of opposed, spaced apart flat sections 50 having laterally formed rims 52 at the edges thereof. The rims 52 along. the vertical edges of sections 50 should be relatively wide and bent to angle inwardly for engagement with the hereinafter described key elements.

Sections are held together by unique coupiers 64, slidably engaging fixtures 56, welded or otherwise fastened to the inner faces of each section 60. These fixtures 56 are in opposed relation and present grooves 66 into which is fitted the longitudinal edges of couplers 64.

To insure rigidity, speed of assembly, and a minimum amount of metal-to-metal contact between sections 50, the coupler 64 is made as detailed in Fig. 6 and clearly shown in section in Fig. 2. Each coupler 54 comprises two U-shaped members 66, the bights of which are fastened together by any well-known expedient, while the free edges of the legs are bent outwardly to conform with the inner contour of grooves 56 of fixtures 56. Coupler 64, like the parts heretofore specified, is made of sheet metal having the desired amount of resiliency to yieldably maintain the legs and especially, the angular portion thereof in a position where the coupler cannot be easily withdrawn from fixtures 56. Any number of couplers may be employed between sections 50 of the wall unit, and the same should be disposed horizontally with the notches 62 in the ends thereof receiving V-shaped rib 44 of stud section 42 (see Fig. 3).

Elements such as bolts and nuts 64 and 66 respectively, secure together studs 40 and coupiers 54. Couplers 54 are cutaway as at 68 to receive nut 66 and the bights of U-shaped sections 60 are spread apart to clear bolt 64, the head of which bears against the inner surface of stud'section 42.

Key strips I formed of sheet metal and provided with longitudinal grooves along opposite sides thereof, are slipped into the position shown in Fig. 3, to secure together sections 42 of the studs and to serve the purpose of fastening sections 50 of the building wall unit to said studs.

A header 12 extends the length of the building wall along the top edges of the units, constituting the same, and is provided with openings I4 to receive tongues 46 at the upper ends of the studs. Header I2 carries channel forming parts 16 along one longitudinal edge thereof, engageable with ceiling plates I8, as shown in Fig. 2.

The opposite longitudinal edge of header I2 is provided with an upwardly and inwardly angled strip 60, upon which roof units 62 are mounted and that is engaged by clip 64 to maintain said units in position. Roof units 62 have outwardly and upwardly formed flanges 66 thereon to slidably receive connectors 86, as seen in Fig. 5.

When tongues 48 of stud sections 42 are received by openings i4 and 14 in anchor plate I2 and header I2 respectively, the ends of fins 46 bear against the upper and lower surfaces of anchor plate I2 and header I2 respectively, to bear the load of the roof and ceiling. Thus, the relatively thin sheet metal sections 50 of the wall units are spared, with respect to bearing an objectionable amount of weight.

Header 12 may also be attached to a number of strengthening, vertical columns 96 carried by the foundation at suitable intervals along the length of the building walls. In some cases these columns have a thickness greater than the width of the building units and either the outer or inner section 56 may be contoured as shown in Fig. 3, to snugly fit the column.

When constructing the building, the wall thereof is assembled before applying header I2 and the parts thereabove. Anchor plate i2 is in position and sections 50 are fastened together by couplers 54. The space between sections 50 may be filled with insulating material 92 of suitable character prior to placing the building unit, comprising sections 60, in an upright position.

assasc'r Sections 42 of the studs are fastened to the ends of couplers 64 by securing elements 64 and 66, and after one so assembled building unit is stood upon anchor plate i2 with the tongue 46 of section 42 extending into an opening l4 of anchor plate l2, the next succeeding section is swung to place in edge-to-edge relation with the unit just described. In such position, sections 42 of a complete stud have their faces abutting and the angular portions opposed to the inwardly extended angular rims 52.

Key strips 16 are moved into place from above whereby stud sections 42 are gripped and clamped together simultaneously with the attachment of sections 50 to stud 46. A minimum amount of metal-to-metal contact between the inner and outer sections 50 is thereby created. The height of sections 56 should be very slightly 1 less than the distance between the ends of fins 46 of stud sections 42 to insure the load bein carried by the studs after header I2 is moved to position where its openings I4 receive the adjoining upper tongues 48. Lower tongues 46 of studs 40 are projected into openings i4 to further preclude parting of sections 42 and to insure against lateral displacement of the entire wall assembly. The ridge formed longitudinally along anchor plate i2, extends between sections 50, as shown in Fig. .2, to assist in strengthening the building wall in this regard. Obviously, the distance between sections 50 may be varied by employing couplers 54 of desired widths and where the metal-to-metal contact is to be further reduced, parts of coupler 54 may have a spacer I00 'of insulating material interposed therebetween, as illustrated in Fig. 8.

The advantages arising from the employment of building parts made in accordance with this invention are many, and while the preferred embodiment of a sectional structure has been illustrated and described, it is desired to be limited only by the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a building structure of the character described, a wall comprising a plurality of edgeto-edge units each having a pair of opposed, spaced apart sections; studs between the said sections at the proximal edges thereof; and slidably disposed key strips interconnecting the sections and said studs, and holding the proximal edges of adjacent sections together in abutting relation. 2. In a building structure of the character described, a wall comprising a plurality of edge-toe'dge units each having a pair of opposed, spaced apart sections; couplers between the said sections; studs between the said sections at the proximal edges thereof; slidably disposed key strips interconnecting the sections and said studs and holding the proximal edges of adjacent sections in adjoining relation; and elements securing the couplers to the studs.

3. In a building structure of the character described, a wall comprising a plurality of edgeto-edge units each having a pair of opposed, spaced apart sections; couplers between the said sections; studs between the said sections at the proximal edges thereof; slidably disposed key strips interconnecting the sections and said studs and holding the proximal edges of adjacent sections in adjoining relation; and elements securing the couplers to the studs, said studs each comprising two substantially coextensive sections in side-by-side relation the. portions thereof in adjoining relation, said stud sections being held together by said key strips.

4. In a building structure of the character described, a wall comprising a plurality of edgeto-edge units each having a pair of opposed, spaced apart sections; couplers between the said sections having notched ends; studs between the said sections at the proximal edges thereof having ribs for engagement with said notches to prevent lateral displacement of the coupler relative to the stud; slidably disposed key strips interconnecting the sections and said studs; and elements securing the couplers to the studs, said studs each comprising two substantially coextensive sections in side-by-side relation, one stud section being secured to each wall -unit respectively.

5. In a-building structure of the character described, a wall comprising a plurality of edge-toedge units each having a pair of opposed, spaced apart sections fixtures on the inner faces of said sections having grooves spaced from said faces; couplers between the said sections having sliding engagement with said grooves; studs between the said sections at the proximal edges thereof; slidably disposed key strips interconnecting the sections and said studs; and elements securing the couplers to the studs, said studs each comprising two substantially coextensive sections in side-by-side relation, one stud section being secured to each wall unit respectively, said stud sections being held together by said key strips.

6. In a building structure of the character described, a wall comprising a plurality of opposed, spaced apart sections forming the sides of building units, having abutting edges, and disposed in edge-to-edge relation with the abutting edges in vertical positions; inturned flanges on each vertical edge of the said sections; studs between the said sections at the abutting edges of the units; and key strips slidabb engaging the said flanges of proximal sections and the stud.

7. In a building structure of the character described, a wall comprising a plurality of opposed, spaced apart sections forming the sides of in tapered projections for entering said openings.

building units, having abutting edges. and disposed in edge-to-edge relation with the abutting edges in vertical positions; inturned flanges on each verticahedge of the said sections; studs between the said sections at the abutting edges of the-units; and key strips slidably engaging the said -flanges of proximal sections and the stud, said sections having couplers therebetween in connection with the studs.

8. In a building structure of the character described a wall comprising a plurality of edge-toedge units each having a pair of opposed, spaced I 1 apart sections; studs between the said sections at the proximal edges thereof; slidably disposed key members interconnecting the sections and said studs; a base member; and a header, said studs being formed to engage the base member and said header to hold the same spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the length of the section. said base member and header having diamond-shaped openings, said studs having opposed v-shaped ribs terminating at their ends 9. in a, building structure of the character described, a wall comprising a plurality of edge-toeoge units each having a pair of opposed, spaced apart sections; studs between the said sections at the proximal edges thereof having V-shaped ribs; s.idably disposed key members interconnecting the sections and said studs; a base member; and a header, said studs being formed to engage the base member and said header to hold the same spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the length of the sections, said sections havmg couplers therebetween in connection with the studs, said couplers having V-shaped notches in their ends for receiving the ribs of said studs.

10. In a building structure of the character described, a wall comprising a plurality of edge-toeclge units each having a pair of opposed, spaced apart sections; studs between the said sections at the proximal edges thereot having vertical V-shaped ribs; slidably disposed key members interconnecting the sections and said studs; a base member; and a header. said studs being formed to engage the base member and said header to hold the same spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the length of the sections,

said sections having couplers therebetween in connection with the studs, said couplers being slidably engaged with the sections of the units, and having V-shaped notches in their ends for receiving the ribs of said stud.

11. In a building structure of the character described, a wall comprising a plurality of edge-toedge units each having a pair of opposed, spaced apart sections; couplers between the said sections; studs between the said sections at the proximal edges thereof; slidably disposed key strips interconnecting the sections and said studs; and elements securing the couplers to the studs, said couplers comprising a pair of opposed U-shaped members having the free edges of their legs bent outwardly, a spacer of insulating material between the bights of said members. and means for fastening the bights together with said insulation therebetween.

12. In a building structure of the character described, a base member; a plurality of vertical sectional studs, having the sections thereof in side-by-side relation and having outwardly diverging marginal free edges; a header mounted on the studs; roof units carried by the header; a pair of spaced apart sections between each pair of studs; and key strips interconnecting the proximal edges of said section with diverging edges of the adjacent stud.

13. ms building structure of the character described, abase member; a plurality of vertical sectional studs, having the sections thereof in side-by-side relation; a header mounted on the studs; roof units carried by the header; a pair of spaced apart sections between each pair of studs; and key strips interconnecting the proximal edges of said section with the adjacent stud said key strips having converging marginal free edges, said studs being formed oi two sideby-side sections having outwardly diverging marginal free edges held together by converging edges of the said key strips.

j RALPH O. N. 

